Wallace-Bolyai-Gerwien theorem

proper noun

A theorem related to dissections of polygons, stating that one polygon can be formed from another — by cutting it into a finite number of pieces and recomposing them by translations and rotations — if and only if the two polygons have the same area.

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Meanings

proper nounthe Wallace-Bolyai-Gerwien theorem
  1. geometryA theorem related to dissections of polygons, stating that one polygon can be formed from another — by cutting it into a finite number of pieces and recomposing them by translations and rotations — if and only if the two polygons have the same area.

Origin

Named after William Wallace, Farkas Bolyai, and P. Gerwien.

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Cite this entry
APA

Wallace-Bolyai-Gerwien theorem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Wallace-Bolyai-Gerwien%20theorem

MLA

“Wallace-Bolyai-Gerwien theorem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Wallace-Bolyai-Gerwien%20theorem. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Wallace-Bolyai-Gerwien theorem,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Wallace-Bolyai-Gerwien%20theorem.

Source: Wallace-Bolyai-Gerwien theorem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.